# 'The New School Prayer' **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 1, 2000, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-school-prayer/18298 "2000-05-01T21:11:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2000, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-school-prayer/18298/21 "2000-05-04T12:25:15Z")
am I the only one that thinks the image of the school child talked about in the poem is a little like “Children of the Corn”? everyone with the same haircuts, same grey flannel shorts, white shirts and bible under the arm? ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2000, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-school-prayer/18298/22 "2000-05-05T01:02:08Z")
This is fascinating–Gordon Liddy, the American Atheists, and the Mormons all have this poem posted on their websites. First, let’s hear the Mormon version. [http://www.aspiring-community.com/files/violence-now-i-sit-me-down.html](http://www.aspiring-community.com/files/violence-now-i-sit-me-down.html) > [@](#): > > Written by a 12 year-old in Boston: > Now I sit me down in school > Where praying is against the rule. > For this great nation under God > Finds mention of Him very odd. > If Scripture now the class recites > It violates the Bill of Rights. > Anytime my head I bow > Becomes a federal matter now. > The law is specific; the law is precise. > Praying out loud is no longer nice. > Praying aloud in a public hall > Upsets those who believe in nothing at all. > In silence alone we can meditate > and if God should get the credit–great! > They are bringing their guns, > I don’t dare bring my Bible, > To do so might make me liable. > So, now Oh Lord, this plea I make; > Should I be shot in school, > My soul please take. > God Bless America! > whisper …please? They’ve left out all the “icky” stuff about orange hair and unwed fathers. Next, let’s hear the American Atheists’ version. [http://www.atheists.org/family/html/prayer\_poems.html](http://www.atheists.org/family/html/prayer_poems.html) > [@](#): > > The New School Prayer > \>\> > \>\> Now I sit me down in school > \>\> Where praying is against the rule > \>\> For this great nation under God > \>\> Finds mention of Him very odd. > \>\> If scripture now the class recites > \>\> It violates the Bill of Rights > \>\> And any time my head I bow > \>\> Becomes a federal matter now > \>\> Our hair can be purple, orange, or green > \>\> That’s no offense, it’s the freedom scene > \>\> The law is specific, the law is precise > \>\> Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice > > \>\> For praying in a public hall > \>\> Might offend someone with no faith at all > \>\> In silence alone we must meditate > \>\> God’s name is prohibited by the State > \>\> We’re allowed to cuss and dress like freaks > \>\> And pierce our noses, tongues, and cheeks > \>\> They’ve outlawed guns: But first the Bible > \>\> To quote the Good Book makes us liable > \>\> We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen > \>\> And the unwed daddy, our Senior King > \>\> It’s “inappropriate” to teach right from wrong > \>\> We’re taught that such “judgments” do not belong > \>\> We can get our condoms, and birth controls > \>\> Study witchcraft, vampires, and totem poles > \>\> But the Ten Commandments are not allowed > \>\> No Word of God must reach this crowd > \>\> It’s scary here I must confess > \>\> When chaos reigns the school’s a mess > \>\> So, Lord, this silent plea I make: > \>\> Should I be shot, > \>\> My soul please take. > \>\> > \>\> Author Unknown G. Gordon Liddy’s version, for some reason, has left off the quotation marks around “inappropriate” and “judgements” but is otherwise identical to the American Atheists’ version. [http://www.rtis.com/nat/pol/liddy/poem.htm](http://www.rtis.com/nat/pol/liddy/poem.htm) Is it just me, or is this all really scary? The Mormons AND the atheists, with the same poem? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2000, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-school-prayer/18298/23 "2000-05-05T05:33:42Z")
Notthemama shared: > [@](#): > > This is fascinating–Gordon Liddy, the American Atheists, and the Mormons all have this poem posted on their websites. And Paul Harvey doesn’t? Wow. ---
**Author:** ![neuro-trash\_grrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3ab097/32.png) [@neuro-trash\_grrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neuro-trash_grrrl)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2000, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-school-prayer/18298/24 "2000-05-05T06:38:57Z")
I’ve ruined it now, but up until this point, we had a sequential thread thing going: Metallica is now officially… ‘The New School Prayer’ And andros, yes, I had that dubious distinction. I take it you are familiar with the school to which I refer. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2000, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-school-prayer/18298/25 "2000-05-05T13:09:39Z")
**KaylasDad,** I don’t see where Paul Harvey has an official website. Does he? ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2000, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-school-prayer/18298/26 "2000-05-05T16:15:03Z")
_ **NTG** _: Well, I think so, but I’m not sure, honestly, and I’m very embarassed about it. I’ve been out of state for ten years now (and have to mail-order my Hatch green). I spent my seven in the big school with all the brick and the monster endowment–same one? Dammit, I’ve blocked so much high school out of my mind, I can’t even remember if we said grace. -andros- [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-school-prayer/18298.md?page=1)